Las Cruces is having its moment in the spotlight — literally. A movie currently filming in the city is putting local talent to work, employing students and alumni from New Mexico State University, according to a report from NMSU.

The production represents a tangible, real-world opportunity for NMSU’s film-connected community, giving students and recent graduates hands-on, paid experience in the industry right in their own backyard. For a university town like Las Cruces, having a film crew set up shop nearby means aspiring filmmakers, production assistants, and crew members don’t have to travel far to break into the business.

Las Cruces has quietly been building a reputation as a welcoming destination for film and creative projects, and this latest production adds to that momentum. New Mexico’s film incentive environment has long attracted productions to the state, and when those projects land in southern New Mexico, the benefits flow directly to the local community — in the form of paychecks, experience, and professional connections that can last a career.

For NMSU students still working toward their degrees, on-set experience alongside seasoned professionals is the kind of education no classroom can fully replicate. For alumni, it’s a chance to build their résumés close to home while contributing to a growing local creative economy.

And the good news for Las Cruces doesn’t stop at the film set. Travel website The Points Guy recently named Las Cruces among its picks for charming, affordable getaway destinations — a nod to the city’s appeal that locals already know well. Meanwhile, Santa Fe Brewing has cleared a city hurdle to open a new taproom near NMSU, bringing another gathering spot and additional jobs to the area.

All in all, it’s been a bright week for Las Cruces — a city that continues to attract creative energy, new businesses, and opportunities for the talented people who call it home.

Sources: New Mexico State University, KFOX